Sports rebounder apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sports rebounder apparatus is disclosed that allows a rebounding panel to be adjusted to multiple angular positions to allow players to replicate and practice a variety of different pickleball shots. The degree of angle is directly related to the rebounding loft that the ball will experience. For example, the further a rebounding panel is tilted away from a player, the higher the ball will rebound than a ball striking a more vertically-positioned rebounding panel. This higher loft affords the player more time to react to the rebounded ball. Likewise, the further the rebounding panel is tilted towards a player, the ball will rebound lower and faster, giving a player less time to react. This is advantageous for players of different skill levels, as well as for providing different shots that players could replicate and practice.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/606,936 filed on Oct. 13, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to practicing the sport of pickleball. More specifically, the present invention provides a pickleball training apparatus which enables a player to practice and simulate a variety of shots experienced during an actual pickleball game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past couple of years, the sport of pickleball has been experiencing tremendous growth. Across the country, seldom used tennis courts are being converted over to pickleball courts as more people discover the fun and exciting game of pickleball. However, all of these pickleball players now face the problem of how to practice and get better at pickleball when they do not have a partner to practice with.

In tennis, players can practice by themselves by hitting tennis balls against a wall or by using a tennis rebounder type apparatus. However, there is no rebounder-type products currently available on the market today that are designed specifically for the sport of pickleball. Currently, the only rebounder-type products available for pickleball players to purchase are tennis rebounders that are being sold through sporting goods stores and pickleball storefronts. These products fall short in providing players with the specific experience needed to practice pickleball shots. Furthermore, the traditional tennis rebounder products do not simulate the game of pickleball very well because tennis balls are very differently from pickleballs (hollow plastic balls) and react differently with the rebounding panel. Thus, there is a need for a new type of rebounder apparatus that more closely simulates the game of pickleball to allow players of all skill levels the ability to practice pickleball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention has been developed to fill the void mentioned above by providing a sports rebounder apparatus designed specifically for players to practice pickleball.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the present invention discloses a rebounder apparatus which utilizes a rebounding panel as the rebounding mechanism for players to hit against with the pickleball. The present invention is designed to allow the rebounding panel to be adjusted to multiple angular positions which allows players to replicate and practice a variety of different pickleball shots. The degree of angle is directly related to the rebounding loft that the ball will experience. For example, the further a rebounding panel is tilted away from a player, the higher the ball will rebound than a ball striking a more vertically-positioned rebounding panel. This higher loft affords the player more time to react to the rebounded ball. Likewise, the further the rebounding panel is tilted towards a player, the ball will rebound lower and faster, giving a player less time to react. This is advantageous for players of different skill levels, as well as for providing different shots that players can replicate and practice. In addition, a safety tether is provided which prevents inadvertent movement of the frame assembly when changing rebounding panel angle positions.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a sports rebounding apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a first frame wherein the first frame has a top section and a bottom section; a base frame for supporting said first frame, wherein the base frame has two vertical pipes that are substantially parallel to each other and a horizontal cross-bar connected to the two vertical pipes, and a plurality of legs which stabilize the rebounding apparatus on a surface; a rebounding panel attached in the top section of the first frame, wherein the rebounding panel allows a ball to bounce back when the ball strikes the rebounding panel; a hinge assembly that attaches the first frame to the base frame and allows at least the top section of the first frame to swing back and forth relative to the base frame; and a locking mechanism for locking the first frame in place to prevent the first frame from swinging, wherein the top section is in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the top section is either substantially vertical or can be tilted forward and backward.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a sports rebounding apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a frame wherein the frame is divided into a top section and a bottom section; a rebounding panel attached to the frame in the top section of the frame; fastening device for mounting the frame on a wall; and a locking mechanism for locking the frame in place to prevent the frame from moving, wherein the top section is in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the top section is either substantially vertical or tilted either forward or backward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the rebounder apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the frame and base assemblies of the rebounder apparatus with the rebound rebounding panel, net, and safety tether removed according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the frame extension accessories used for changing the rebounding panel angle positions according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the locking mechanism for positioning the rebounding panel in the vertical position according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the rebounding apparatus when the rebounding panel is at a 20-degree position according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates the rebounding apparatus when the rebounding panel is at a −20-degree position according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an installed frame extension with the panel oriented in a 20-degree position according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a hinge with a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a wall mounted rebounding apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a wall mounted rebounding apparatus positioned with a positive angle according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a wall mounted rebounding apparatus positioned with a negative angle according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be variously changed and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

However, it should be understood that those embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to specific disclosure forms and they include all changes, equivalents or modifications included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless a description to the contrary is specifically pointed out in context. In the present specification, it should be understood that the terms such as “include” or “have” are merely intended to indicate that features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof are present, and are not intended to exclude a possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof will be present or added.

Unless differently defined, all terms used here including technical or scientific terms have the same meanings as the terms generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The terms identical to those defined in generally used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings identical to contextual meanings of the related art, and are not interpreted as being ideal or excessively formal meanings unless they are definitely defined in the present specification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar elements throughout the drawings and repeated descriptions of the same components will be omitted.

Briefly, the sports rebounding apparatus is designed to allow a rebounding panel to be adjusted to multiple angular positions which allows players to replicate and practice a variety of different pickleball shots. The degree of angle is directly related to the rebounding loft that the ball will experience. For example, the further a rebounding panel is tilted away from a player, the higher the ball will rebound than a ball striking a more vertically-positioned rebounding panel. This higher loft affords the player more time to react to the rebounded ball. Likewise, the further the rebounding panel is tilted towards a player, the ball will rebound lower and faster, giving a player less time to react. This is advantageous for players of different skill levels, as well as for providing different shots that players can replicate and practice. In addition, a safety tether is provided which prevents inadvertent movement of the frame assembly when changing rebounding panel angle positions. While the rebounder apparatus has been designed with pickleball in mind, the invention is not limited thereto and can be used to practice other sports as well. Various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rebounder apparatus 100 is disclosed and is illustrated FIGS. 1-2. The rebounder apparatus 100 has, among other features, a frame 102, a rebounding panel 1, a net 8 and a base assembly 104.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 102 can be constructed from 1⅛-inch (outside diameter) hollow, cold-rolled steel pipes ( 1/32-inch wall thickness) 12, but the frame 102 can be constructed out of various materials including wood, plastic, PVC piping and other materials and the invention is not limited thereto. However, the frame should be constructed out of rigid materials, for example, metal, so that the frame is rigid so as to minimize any deflection of the rebounding panel 1 when struck by the pickleball. The reduction in deflection is important so that the pickleball rebounds off the rebounding panel 1 in the proper direction and speed. The pipes 12 can be coated with a high-density polyethylene coating that provides added protection and color options. End caps can be provided on every pipe end to prevent moisture from contaminating the interior of each pipe 12. The pipes 12 can be connected by metal joints 14 of various configurations (depending on the joining angle of the pipes 12). Each joint 14 can be made from hot rolled steel in a clam-shelled design and secured/tightened around each pipe end by a pair of bolts and nuts, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The frame 102 is comprised of two substantially parallel vertical pipes 108, and a first, second and third substantially parallel horizontal pipes 110, 112, 114. The first horizontal pipe 110 is connected to a top end of each vertical pipe 108, for example by joint 14. The second horizontal pipe 112 is connected to a bottom end of each vertical pipe 108, for example by the joint 14. The third horizontal pipe 114 is connected to each of the vertical pipes 108 and is in between the first and second horizontal pipes 110, 112. It will be understood that each vertical pipe 108 can be comprised of a single pipe or multiple pipes connected together and the invention is not limited thereto. Finally, the frame 102 is divided into a top section 120 and a bottom section 122. The top section 120 of the frame 102 is defined by the space between the first and third horizontal pipes 110, 114, and the bottom section 122 of the frame 102 is defined by the space between the second and third horizontal pipes 112, 114.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rebounder apparatus 100 utilizes a 0.5-inch thick high-density polyethylene rebounding panel 1 as the rebounding mechanism, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of materials can be used to create the rebounding panel 1 including wood, plastic, plexiglass, metal, etc., and the invention is not limited thereto. However, the rebounding panel 1 should be constructed out of a high density material so as to minimize any deflection of the rebounding panel 1 when struck by the pickleball. The reduction in deflection is important so that the pickleball rebounds off the rebounding panel 1 in the proper direction and speed. The rebounding panel 1 is located in the top section 120 of the frame 102 and can be secured at the four corners by, for example, stainless steel brackets, screws, washers, and locknuts that are anchored in the frame 102, but other fastening devices can also be used and the present invention is not limited thereto.

The rebounding panel 1 utilizes adhesive-backed, white vinyl tape, for example, 0.25-inch wide, as a vertical centerline 6 on the rebounding panel 1 and a 1-inch wide tape strip 7 placed horizontally along the bottom edge of the rebounding panel 1. The strip 7 serves to replicate the official 34-inch center-net height on a pickleball court. To accommodate this, the rebounding panel 1 is designed and positioned in the frame 102 with the bottom edge of the rebounding panel 1 being located 34-inches off the ground.

Below the rebounding panel 1, the frame 102 utilizes a net 8 secured in and around the frame 102 in the bottom section 122 of the frame 102 by a plurality of bungee cords 9, but the invention is not limited thereto. The net 8 serves two purposes: (1) to enable the player to keep a rally going by providing a soft and controlled rebounding effect for balls hit below the rebounding panel 1 (and the traditional net line), and (2) to replicate the user experience by simulating the effect of playing on a pickleball court.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 102 utilizes a vertical support pipe 10 to prevent the rebounding panel 1 from deflecting when being struck by a pickleball. As a result, the pickleball will rebound in the manner and direction expected by the player. An adhesive-backed rubber strip 11, for example, ⅛-inch wide, can be placed between the pipe 10 and rebounding panel 1 to act as a noise dampener during ball impact, but other noise damping materials such as foam can also be used and the invention is not limited thereto.

The frame assembly 102 rests on the base assembly 104. According to one embodiment of the invention, the base assembly 104 is comprised of a 4-foot cross-bar 17 positioned below the frame 102 and four perpendicular 15-inch pipes 18 which are connected to four caster wheel assemblies 19 which act as legs to support the rebounder apparatus 100 on a surface, but the invention is not limited thereto. It will be understood to one skilled in the art that the frame 102 and the base assembly 104 can be constructed in various sizes depending on how large a rebounder apparatus 100 is desired and the present invention is not limited by the various component sizes listed herein. The caster wheel assemblies are anchored at the end of each of the 15-inch pipes. Forty-five-degree support pipes 20 are also anchored to the caster wheel assemblies, which support the two vertical support pipe rests 21. These pipe rests 21 have open U-shaped connectors on each end 22 to accommodate and hold the frame by the frame assembly hinge pipes 13. According to one embodiment of the invention, the entire frame 102 pivots and rotates around these two frame hinge pipe locations 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rebounding panel 1 is locked in the vertical position by brackets 23 mounted on the frame's bottom horizontal pipe 112 and the base cross-bar 17. Each bracket 23 has a hole and when aligned, accommodates the installation of a locking pin 24.

The rebounder apparatus 100 is designed to accommodate various rebounding panel 1 positions. For example, the rebounding panel 1 can have, for example, five positions: 0-degrees, 10-degrees, 20-degrees, −10-degrees, −20-degrees, but the invention is not limited thereto. To accomplish this, the locking pin 24 for positioning the rebounding panel 1 in the vertical position is removed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, frame extensions 25, one designed for the 10-degree positions, and a separate extension for the 20-degree positions, are used in place of the locking pin to secure the rebounder apparatus 100. In the alternative, the length of the frame extension 25 can be adjustable so that a single frame extension 25 can be used for all of the positive and negative positions. It will be understood that positive angle positions are created by moving the bottom of the frame 102 forward with the frame extension 25 which tilts the top of the frame 102 backwards away from a player. Likewise, it will be understood that negative angle positions are created by moving the bottom of the frame 102 backward with the frame extension 25 which causes the top of the frame 102 to tilt forward towards a player.

The degree of angle is directly related to the rebounding loft that the ball will experience. For example, the further a rebounding panel 1 is tilted away from a player, the higher the ball will rebound than a ball striking a more vertically-positioned rebounding panel 1. This higher loft affords the player more time to react to the rebounded ball. Likewise, the further the rebounding panel 1 is tilted towards a player, the ball will rebound lower and faster, giving a player less time to react. This is advantageous for players of different skill levels, as well as for providing different shots that players could replicate and practice.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7-8, each frame extension 25 has an open-ended clamp 26 on each end to hook on to the base assembly at the cross-bar 17 and the frame assembly's bottom horizontal pipe 112. Once the frame assembly 102 is positioned in the desired location, the extensions are installed by simply pressing the clamp on to the pipes and removed with a reversing motion. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that other locking mechanisms and hinges can be used to allow the rebounder apparatus 100 to be positioned with various degrees of bank and the invention is not limited thereto. In addition, multiple frame extensions 25 can be attached for each position to add greater stability of the rebounding panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates the front of the rebounder apparatus 100 when the rebounding panel 1 is tilted backward in the 20-degree position. FIG. 6 illustrates the back of the rebounder apparatus 100 when the rebounding panel 1 is tilted forward in the −20-degree position.

In an alternative embodiment, the frame assembly 102 can be divided into two separate sections, a top section 120 which positions and holds the rebounding panel 1 and a bottom section 122 that positions and holds the net 8. In this embodiment, hinge mechanisms allow the top section 120 to be positioned independently from the bottom section 122. As a result, the rebounding panel 1 could be positioned, for example, at a 10-degree bank or a −10-degree bank while the net stays vertical with a zero-degree bank.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a hinge 140 and locking mechanism 150 allows the top section 120 and the bottom section 122 to be positioned independently from each other. The locking mechanism 150 is a series of holes 160, 170 on the hinge assembly, one for each of the plurality of positions, wherein a pin (not illustrated) is inserted through one of the holes 160 to lock the vertical pipe 108 of top section of the frame 102 in position and a second pin (not illustrated) is inserted through one of the holes 170 to lock the vertical pipe 108 of the bottom section 122 in position.

As a safety feature, a steel ring 31 is placed around the frame assembly's bottom horizontal pipe 112 and is attached to the base cross-bar 17 with a cloth vinyl-mesh strap 28 and a quick link 29. Once attached to the steel ring 31, the strap 28 holds the frame assembly from moving while the position of the rebounder apparatus 100 is changed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rebounder apparatus 200 can be mounted to a wall. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the frame 102 can be mounted on a wall without the base assembly 104 of the previous embodiment. The wall mounted rebounder apparatus 200 is support by, for example, two pairs of heavy duty, single-pronged hooks 206 that are fastened to the wall but the invention is not limited thereto. One pair of hooks 206 is located at two points on opposite ends of the top cross-bar 202. Similarly, the second pair of hooks 206 can be equally spaced along the bottom cross-bar 204. Each pair of hooks 206 can support the entire weight of the rebounder apparatus 200, and are used alternately to orient the rebounder apparatus 200 in various positions are previously described.

For positioning the rebounder apparatus 200 in a positive angle, the bottom cross-bar 204 is moved outside of the bottom hooks while the rebounder apparatus 200 is now supported only by the top hooks 206, and a pair of straight bar extensions 208 are used to hold the rebounder apparatus 200 in a positive angle position. While rotating and pivoting the rebounder apparatus 200 about the top cross-bar 202, the extensions 208 are attached to the bottom cross-bar 204 on one end, while the other end using a rubber stop rests against the wall.

For positioning the rebounder apparatus 200 in a negative angle, the top cross-bar 202 is moved outside of the top hooks 206 while the rebounder apparatus 200 is now supported only by the bottom hooks 206. While rotating and pivoting the rebounder apparatus 200 about the bottom cross-bar 204, a chain 200 is attached to each hook 206 while the other end of each chain is anchored on the top cross-bar 202. The length of the chain is design to position the panel at the appropriate negative angle position.

The present invention has many advantages over previously known rebounder devices. First, the rebounding panel 1 can be positioned at various positive and negative angles of bank to allow a greater range of shots to be practiced. In addition, since pickleballs do not bounce nearly as much as tennis balls, the rebounder apparatus 100 can be set up in smaller spaces like driveways, garages and even basements allowing players to practice anytime and anywhere regardless of space limitations and weather.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the invention. Although specific terms have been used in the present specification, these are merely intended to describe the present invention and are not intended to limit the meanings thereof or the scope of the present invention described in the accompanying claims. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A sports rebounder apparatus, comprising: a first frame wherein the first frame has a top section and a bottom section; a base frame for supporting said first frame, wherein the base frame has two vertical pipes that are substantially parallel to each other and a horizontal cross-bar connected to the two vertical pipes, and a plurality of legs which stabilize the rebounder apparatus on a surface; a rebounding panel attached in the top section of the first frame, wherein the rebounding panel allows a ball to bounce back when the ball strikes the rebounding panel; a hinge assembly that attaches the first frame to the base frame and allows at least the top section of the first frame to swing back and forth relative to the base frame; and a locking mechanism for locking the first frame in place to prevent the first frame from swinging, wherein the top section is in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the top section is either substantially vertical or can be tilted forward and backward.
 2. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a net attached to the bottom section of the first frame.
 3. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of positions are 20 degrees, 10 degrees, 0 degrees, −10 degrees and −20 degrees, wherein for positive degree positions the top section is tilted away from a user, and for negative degree positions the top section is tilted towards the user.
 4. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism is a frame extension that attaches to a bottom horizontal pipe of the first frame and the horizontal cross-bar of the base frame.
 5. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the frame extension has a sufficient length to hold the first frame in the 10 degree and −10 degree positions.
 6. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the frame extension has a sufficient length to hold the first frame in the 20 degree and −20 degree positions.
 7. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism is a series of holes on the hinge assembly, one for each of the plurality of positions, wherein a pin is inserted through one of the holes to lock the frame in position.
 8. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first frame is comprised of two substantially parallel vertical pipes, and a first, second and third substantially parallel horizontal pipes, wherein the first horizontal pipe is connected to a top end of each vertical pipe, the second horizontal pipe is connected to a bottom end of each vertical pipe and the third horizontal pipe is connected to each of the vertical pipes and is in between the first and second horizontal pipes.
 9. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the top section of the first frame is defined by the space between the first and third horizontal pipes, and the bottom section of the first frame is defined by the space between the second and third horizontal pipes.
 10. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a vertical support pipe attached to the first and third horizontal pipes to prevent the rebounding panel from deflecting when being struck by the ball.
 11. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said two substantially parallel vertical pipes are each composed of a plurality of pipes.
 12. A sports rebounder apparatus, comprising: a frame wherein the frame is divided into a top section and a bottom section; a rebounding panel attached to the frame in the top section of the frame; fastening device for mounting the frame on a wall; and a locking mechanism for locking the frame in place to prevent the frame from moving, wherein the top section is in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the top section is either substantially vertical or can be tilted forward and backward.
 13. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the fastening device is a plurality of hooks that are attached to the wall and hold the frame on the wall.
 14. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the frame is comprised of two substantially parallel vertical pipes, and a first, second and third substantially parallel horizontal pipes, wherein the first horizontal pipe is connected to a top end of each vertical pipe, the second horizontal pipe is connected to a bottom end of each vertical pipe and the third horizontal pipe is connected to each of the vertical pipes and is in between the first and second horizontal pipes.
 15. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a first pair of hooks support the first horizontal pipe of the frame and a second pair of hooks support the second horizontal pipe.
 16. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a vertical support pipe attached to the first and third horizontal pipes to prevent the rebounding panel from deflecting when being struck by the ball.
 17. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the top section of the first frame is defined by the space between the first and third horizontal pipes, and the bottom section of the first frame is defined by the space between the second and third horizontal pipes.
 18. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of positions are 20 degrees, 10 degrees, 0 degrees, −10 degrees and −20 degrees, wherein for positive degree positions the top section is tilted away from a user, and for negative degree positions the top section is tilted towards the user.
 19. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is a plurality of chains, wherein one of the plurality of chains is attached to each hook of the first pair of hooks and connected to the first horizontal pipe so that the top of the frame can be tilted away from the way.
 20. The sports rebounder apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is a plurality of frame extensions wherein a first end of each frame extension is connected to the second horizontal pipe and a second end of each frame extension is in contact with the wall so that the bottom of the frame can be tilted away from the wall. 